Thursday, April 22, 2010

Grant to Aid in Clean-Up at Former PG&E Power Station

The City of Sacramento was awarded a $200,000 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean-Up Grant to aid in environmental remediation and clean-up efforts at the former PG&E power station on Jibboom Street. The power station, built in 1912, has been shuttered since the early 1960s. The EPA Brownfield grant will be used to remove contaminated soil from the interior of the building in preparation for the development of the $40 million riverfront Powerhouse Science Center – a science, space and technology center that is planned for the vacant building.

The City will use its Brownfield Clean-up Grant to perform remediation activities at the former PG&E power station. This will include the excavation and disposal of approximately 1,960 cubic yards of contaminated soil at an off-site hazardous waste facility. Following the remediation, soil samples will be collected to verify that adequate soil has been removed. The environmental clean up efforts are being overseen by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control.

Ultimately, the future science center will link other riverfront amenities by transforming the site from unused land to a regional amenity that will also include a restaurant and educational center, a planetarium, and an inviting open space park area.